"Wow, your backdrop is so powerful?" Merka was astonished as he looked around the empty carriage.

Reaching towards Turing's original direction, his hand found nothing. Merka felt dumbfounded as he suddenly realized that the concealment ability of the backdrop was conceptual, impossible to be detected by simple physical means.

But to just vanish like that, how much magic power would that consume?

Having used the backdrop countless times before, Merka deeply understood that the backdrop was not something so convenient.

Just a second ago, he saw Turing here, and now she was gone. To achieve this, the backdrop must surely exhaust an unimaginable amount of his own magic power.

"Greetings, esteemed Princess."

"No need for formalities. Who are the individuals in this carriage...?"

"Ah, they are the two esteemed ultimate mages invited by Maria. Allow me to present to you..."

Hearing the murmurs outside the carriage, Merka took out his vanity mirror, adjusted his appearance, and calmed his slightly nervous heart.

Stay calm, stay calm.

It's not like I haven't been to such grand banquets before; there's no need to panic.

Looking at the handsome boy in the mirror, Merka swallowed nervously, put away the mirror, straightened his back somewhat awkwardly, and sat up straight.

He didn't want to embarrass Turing or make the nobles feel that he was unworthy of her. Hence, he needed to be more elegant and refined than the other noble male companions.

"Huh? Where is the other esteemed mage?"

The young carriage driver lowered the step, opened the door, only to find a cute and handsome young boy in the carriage, while the other extravagantly dressed, incredibly beautiful girl had disappeared.

"Ah, it's Lord Merka. I heard of your deeds from Lady Maria."

"Achieving such success as a Curseborn is truly remarkable."

"Having your assistance as a conservative is a great fortune."

Scarlett stood outside the carriage door, one foot on the step. He gracefully extended a hand towards Merka, bowed slightly, and lowered his head, gently inviting Merka.

"Ah... it's you."

Now seeing Scarlett's true face, Merka realized that this person was the one who repeatedly caused trouble with Diana at the competition in Erisburg?

Awkwardly, Merka nervously climbed out of the carriage and onto the step, stiffly returning a bow. He tried to maintain a dignified posture, lightly placed his hand on Scarlett's and let the latter guide him down from the carriage.

Getting off the carriage, Scarlett pointed towards the grand entrance of the White Atrium and said to Merka, "The registration entrance is there. Please proceed to the venue."

"There is nothing particular to mention about tonight's banquet, just a gathering to thank the esteemed mages for their continuous support to the family and have some fun together."

"All costs of the banquet are covered by the Montecristo family, but please do not overdo it."

"If you do something inappropriate, you will be escorted out of the venue."

"If you're not accustomed to the smoke in the venue, we've also prepared a rest area for you where you can bring some food and dine there."

Upon hearing this, Merka let out a silent sigh.

He could discern the faint disdain for Curseborn in Scarlett's words.

Since childhood, besides Curseborn, whenever Merka conversed with anyone, there was always a trace of this kind of attitude— even someone like Scarlett couldn't escape it.

But that was just how things were.

Prejudice in people's hearts is like a great mountain,

It takes an eternity of effort to even move it a fraction.

"Well then, I'll go greet the others first."

"If you need anything, just inform the staff of my name."

Merka nodded, bid farewell to Scarlett, and walked into the banquet hall.